Linda Muir
The people of Branford are truly fortunate that Linda Muir devoted her thirty-two years of teaching to the children in her hometown. She was born to Walter and Julia Dykun and raised, with her two sisters, Jo Anne and Bonnie, in the Fourth Ward section of Branford. As a child, Linda attended Branford schools and spent many hours at the John B. Sliney horse stables. Later, she received her first of many honors at Sliney School, earning the Eighth Grade Integrity Award. As part of the BHS class of 1967, Linda was elected to the National Honor Society and was selected to attend science programs at CCSU and Yale New Haven Hospital. Linda continued her education at SCSU where she received her B.S. in both elementary education and special education and a Masters in learning disabilities. Keeping current with education trends during her teaching career, Linda attended many workshops and earned eighteen science credits at Gateway Community College.
For her first fourth grade teaching assignment in Branford, Linda was interviewed by a team including her own fourth grade teacher, Mary Margaret O'Brien. She was hired to teach fourth grade at Stony Creek School and was so successful that she was appointed teaching principal two years later. From 1978 to 1992, Linda taught at John B. Sliney School with Carolyn Butler, Barbara Gelo and Lucille Bassetti. Her next three years were spent team teaching with special education teacher, Alice Malcolm, in a program designed to meet the individual needs of special needs students. Alice recalls that Linda had high expectations for students of all abilities and that she was fair, positive and continually supportive. Also, she cared deeply for all of her students and was supportive of their parents, keeping communication open with weekly written reports and frequent phone calls. From 1992 to 2005, Tisko School students, parents and staff were extremely fortunate to have Linda as a fourth, and later third, grade teacher. She was a supportive team player, a true teacher's teacher. Her tireless work in ordering and organizing science materials for the Tisko faculty was greatly appreciated by her colleagues. Along with Marilyn Collett and Dylan Clough, Linda developed the Tisko Nature Trail and an accompanying guide and activities for grades K-4. For several years, she and Marilyn conducted an after school science club, helping to foster a love of science in Branford's children.
After retiring in 2005, Linda and husband Richard moved to Rotunda West, Florida. They have three children, Elizabeth, Heather and William and one grandson, Tyler. Linda continues to work with children as a volunteer. At her local YMCA and community hospital, Linda serves as education chairperson and instituted a program which provides free books for children and adults. She tutors second grade students weekly at a local elementary school to strengthen their reading skills. In addition, Linda is a member of several service organizations.
Clearly, Linda is a master educator and a compassionate, giving and gracious person.
For her first fourth grade teaching assignment in Branford, Linda was interviewed by a team including her own fourth grade teacher, Mary Margaret O'Brien. She was hired to teach fourth grade at Stony Creek School and was so successful that she was appointed teaching principal two years later. From 1978 to 1992, Linda taught at John B. Sliney School with Carolyn Butler, Barbara Gelo and Lucille Bassetti. Her next three years were spent team teaching with special education teacher, Alice Malcolm, in a program designed to meet the individual needs of special needs students. Alice recalls that Linda had high expectations for students of all abilities and that she was fair, positive and continually supportive. Also, she cared deeply for all of her students and was supportive of their parents, keeping communication open with weekly written reports and frequent phone calls. From 1992 to 2005, Tisko School students, parents and staff were extremely fortunate to have Linda as a fourth, and later third, grade teacher. She was a supportive team player, a true teacher's teacher. Her tireless work in ordering and organizing science materials for the Tisko faculty was greatly appreciated by her colleagues. Along with Marilyn Collett and Dylan Clough, Linda developed the Tisko Nature Trail and an accompanying guide and activities for grades K-4. For several years, she and Marilyn conducted an after school science club, helping to foster a love of science in Branford's children.
After retiring in 2005, Linda and husband Richard moved to Rotunda West, Florida. They have three children, Elizabeth, Heather and William and one grandson, Tyler. Linda continues to work with children as a volunteer. At her local YMCA and community hospital, Linda serves as education chairperson and instituted a program which provides free books for children and adults. She tutors second grade students weekly at a local elementary school to strengthen their reading skills. In addition, Linda is a member of several service organizations.
Clearly, Linda is a master educator and a compassionate, giving and gracious person.